Last week Wii Fit was launched by gaming giant Nintendo.
As it gains popularity, especially amongst my clientele, I there is a responsibility a fitness professional I could not deny. I had to learn as much as I could about Wii Fit and create an informed opinion to pass on to you.
IF you have already paid $250 plus for the original console and controls with a few games you can purchase Wii Fit as an add on for around $175 depending on where you get it. Wii Fit is very interactive. You can choose from all these different features and more:
Yoga
Balance Games
Strength Training
Aerobics
Body Test
Pick a trainer
3D demos
I must say as I reviewed the support site for Wii Fit I was pleasantly surprised. The exercises are depicted in a very easy to understand and anatomically correct way. There is a way to monitor progress and “how well you do” for each workout.
Could this be a viable alternative to help people of all ages and ability levels to engage in physical activities on a consistent basis? Time will tell. I have already heard the argument “atleast my kids will be moving while they play their video games”. True but what ever happened to activities like these:
Riding bikes
Tag
Hide and seek
pick games – soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.
Play ground activities, swings, slides, etc.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) just released the latest statistics on childhood obesity and the good news is the numbers are not any worse. NO increase in childhood obesity is a victory and should be celebrated. However our job as professionals and as parents is NOT done. The rate of childhood obesity has not decreased so it is still alarmingly high.
Wii Fit is a commentary, poor or otherwise, on where our society is and where it is going. This may be one of the few times that technology has actually come through and made life easier without a negative side effect. If the consumers of this product become consistent exercisers then I applaud Nintendo for a job well done. Until I see some evidence of that…
If you could work your hips and your core at the same time would you? This exercise will strengthen and tone your hips while utilizing your core to stabilize while you perform the exercise.
Lying on your side on the ball, straighten your top leg.
Lift top leg until it is parallel with the floor.
Lower leg stopping just before your foot touches the floor.
Repeat for 10 -15 repetitions on each leg.
Anytime you have the opportunity to exercise more muscle groups at the same time – do it. You will burn more calories in a shorter amount of time, which in this case will help you shrink those hips faster!
Now of course the truth still remains in that there is no way to ’spot train’ any body part in an effort to burn fat in just that area. What we can do however is target certain muscle groups to strengthen, tone and firm. When a muscle stands up straight, it gives an effect of making you look thinner.
How much money have you spent on gym equipment for your house? How much have you or someone you know spent on gym memberships month after month – paying for all of their expensive equipment.
What do you really need to get in great shape at home? Less than you think.
This workout is guaranteed to give you the burn you are looking for in your butt, legs and hips. The mini band in this video costs $2.75 and you can get one from Perform Better.
The combination of specific exercise with a certain sequence and a little piece of rubber mini band make for a killer lower body workout.
We start out with hip abduction to make sure the right muscles are kicking in. This one you will feel in the leg you are standing on as much if not more than the one moving.
Next you hit the floor for hip extensions to reinforce glute involvement while adding hamstrings and a bit of lower back.
Last but not least you perform squats with the mini band still around your knees to continue the burn on your butt, hamstrings and now your thighs!
Last night on ABC’s Bachelorette, DeAnna Pappas, trimmed some much needed fat by essentially eliminating 10 bachelors from the show last night. One of which was a quote – unquote “personal trainer” from New York.
I was sitting on the couch , laptop on my lap, submitting another article to an online article directory when my wife Andrea says, “look this guy is a personal trainer”. Of course this got my attention.
The episode ends in this way: (excerpt from the ABC Bachelorette website)
“Greg is upset that she didn’t find him as attractive as the next guy, and proclaims that he is a “f-ing rebellious bastard.” He rips his shirt off, revealing all his tattoos to show DeAnna “what she’s missing.” He howls at the moon as inside, DeAnna toasts “Opa!” with the remaining Bachelors.”
This guy gave the impression that he cares about one thing…himself. Now he may have a 4 year college degree and a nationally accredited certification for all I know. More likely it was a cool way to meet women and, hey, his workouts made him buff soooo – take an online test, order some business cards and bam – I’m a personal trainer!
If you find yourself in need of a fitness professional (which you won’t if you join www.homeofficeworkouts.com) there are certain things you want to be aware of when you are interviewing possible candidates.
If they talk more about themselves and their “qualifications” than ask you questions about you and your goals, history, limitations, schedule etc. – WALK AWAY.
If they speak about how flexible their schedule is…take pause. A good trainer will be busy.
Ask for referrals – the kind you can speak with and ask questions from.
Most referrals give great recomendations. Ask specific questions about their trainer regarding punctuality, professionalism, etc.
Ask people you trust who hired a personal trainer what they like most about that trainers services.
A true professional trainer will ALWAYS have your best interest in mind and focus on discovering any and all obstacles that could derail you from losing weight and getting in shape from home.
Accountibility
Consistency
Quicker results in less time
Saving you time
Knowledge of the body and how it reacts to exercise
Saving you money in the long run
Education
These are some but not all of the attributes and deliverables from a professional trainer for $60 - $100+ per session . So too will www.homeofficeworkouts.com for a fraction of the cost (less that a cuppa coffee per day).
Your core actually runs from your botton rib to the middle of your thighs – 360 degrees around your body.
This quick core workout highlights threee key exercises:
Stability Ball Crunches
Stability Ball Hyperextensions
Stability Ball Knee Tucks
Perform each one of these exercises 10-15 times consecutively, that means with no rest. If you need to recharge after that do so and then get back to it as soon as you can. If you are up for the challenge – continue that exact circuit as many times as you can in 5 minutes.
Word to the wise…if you begin to feel the crunches and knee tucks more in your back than your abs…call it quits because your abs are fried!
Always amazed – NEVER surprised! Today’s workout was anaerobic in nature using a Tabata style of intervals. Metabolic training at its best! With this workout there were 6 women who burned more calories in 21 minutes than most do all day! Not to mention the fact the calorie burn continues!
Every exercise/movement was performed 20 seconds on (best possible effort) 10 seconds off for 6 sets!
Step ups (12 inch step)
Jumping Jacks
Foot fires
Prone bridge hand taps
Sprinting in place
Skaters
Side shuffle between cones (about 25 feet)
I have to tell you they crushed it! Nice job ladies!
This workout requires virtually NO equipment and can be done in part or the whole enchilata.
Can you really get a good workout in 10 minutes? YES.
One of the most important tasks I have as a personal trainer is keeping my clients consistent. Workout consistency creates the foundation for everything else including your weight loss goals. Even if your desire is bigger, stronger muscles you will never come close unless you are consistent.
Is it easier for you to carve out 10 minutes a day or an hour to an hour and a half? You will get more done in 10 minutes with this 10 minute whole body workout than most people do in 3 to 4 traditional workouts.
Perform a workout like this one as many times as possible for 10 minutes and you be the judge.
What obstacles stand in the way of you losing weight and getting in shape?
The first time I saw this video I cried my eyes out. Followed by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th times. I can now watch it keeping my composure but I still become very emotional and it has as much to do with the underlying message as it does my own personal faith in God.
No matter what your own personal religious beliefs (or even if you are agnostic or an atheist) you can relate to the struggle. The struggle of trying like hell to lose weight and workout from home. To many things – LIFE – pulling at you to get it done.
Watch this video. Get motivated and win!
Do you workout religiously but never seem to get the results you are looking for?
More realistically, most people workout from home like crazy…for a short period of time – then life gets in the way and they stop. What comes next, eventually, is another restart after going through the emotions of submitting to the fact you can’t lose weight (again), feelings of failure and negativity followed by acceptance that “this is the way it is”.
It doesn’t have to be.
Get more done in 10 minutes than most people do with their hour and a half workouts.
I was doing a little grocery shopping the other day when I got the
idea for Bathing Suit Season Strategy #13.
When I was in the checkout lane I noticed all candy bars and sugary
snacks to my right. It always gets me to chuckle.
They know exactly where to put the “impulse” items. It might not be
a large transaction, but when you get enough people day after day
to add a 75 cent candy bar to their total, well, that’s big bucks.
And when you consider all these little “impulse” buys you may have
made over the course of the years…
I’m not talking about the money.
I’m talking about the calories from fat and sugar you have consumed
just from adding a little 75 cent purchase to your grocery bill.
But now you’re aware of it. Don’t let “them” prey on your impulses.
That’s why you need a plan.
My Carb Rotation Diet program gives you that
plan. AND it helps you drop up to 15 lbs in just 30 days.
Why not spend the money you used to spend on candy bars and chips
on something that will help you look better naked for a lifetime?
The Carb Rotation Diet has been designed to fit into any
womenÌs lifestyle. The Diet is very simple to follow and has taught
me the steps I needed so that I never have to diet again! The Carb
Rotation Diet changes the way your body looks as well as your
lifestyle! The best part is that it is so simple to follow.
As I mentioned in my last email I will be interviewing nutrition expert Jayson Hunter and getting the answers you want to know! Jayson has given us access to his Bathing Suit Strategies series and I for one am greatful for that alone.
“Jayson, you’ve done it! “The Carb Rotation Diet”
tells all. It’s too often that people make the mistake of extreme
dieting to get temporary results and cause undue stress to their
hearts and other vital organs. This nutrition plan is safe,
results-driven, and easy-to-use. If you’re serious about getting
rid of your gut and ripping up your abs, once and for all, you
have to read this e-book. And that goes without mention of your
incredible bonuses. This e-book should be a resource for every
women out there.”
One day during her personal training session a client aked me, “Why
aren’t I getting better results? I’m working out hard, but I don’t
seem to be losing any weight.”
“How many glasses of wine did you have at that cocktail party
Saturday night?”, I responded.
She moaned back, “Oh, no, but I can’t give up my wine!”
I have no idea if YOU enjoy a couple of cocktails, beer or wine.
And I’m certainly not judging you.
But I can tell you that if you want your body to “sacrifice” those
extra pounds you’re going to need to sacrifice some things, too.
As always, I’m not here to tell you what you want to hear. I’m here
to tell you the truth. And consuming too much alcohol is not only a
great way to PACK on the pounds, but it also prevents you from
dropping them, too.
It’s simple, if you want to look great in a bathing suit you’re
going to have to severely limit your alcohol intake.
But remember, when your lean and sexy you not only look great, you
FEEL great.
I know you can do it!
Yours in health
Jayson Hunter RD, CSCS Carb Rotation Diet
PS – It’s already ADD DATE. Bathing Suit Season is getting closer
and closer and closer…
Who really likes to stretch anyway? Ok maybe if you are a faithful yoga or pilates junkie you atleast like the way it feels after the class is over.
<-<- What the #@*^! are those? I”ll explain.
For most people reading this blog, trying to workout at home is a task not easily achieved on a consitent basis. What is to be skipped over from most in home workouts? Stretching.
How beneficial is it any how? Which type of stretching works the best anyway?
What if you could get even MORE benefit from deep tissue massage? Yeah but who can afford that on a consistent basis? If you can shell out less than $17 to $25 (depending on the size) you can work on your flexibility and make a more profound impact on how your muscle responds to to your workouts.
A Foam Roller does the trick.
Let me explain it to you this way:
When you stretch in traditional ways it is like pulling on a wrinkled T-shirt and expecting it to stay “unwrinkled”. When you use a foam roller, for what is called myofascial release, it is like ironing that wrinkled T-shirt. Myo (muscle) and facsia (connective tissue) are both affected allowing for better recovery from workouts, less stiffness and soreness and ultimately better workout performance – allowing you to stay clear from injury and reach your goals faster!
Click Here to see an instuction sheet (PDF) on how to treat yourself to a deep tissue massage.
You can find foam rollers where I have trusted and purchased all of my in home exercise equipment by visiting my friends at Perform Better.
You’re desperate for something loaded with fat and sugar and
calories.
Sure the stuff tastes good, but you don’t understand why you find
the urge almost irresistible.
Off to the vending machine you go to get a candy bar. Maybe even a
couple of them.
Not good. Not good at all.
That’s why Bathing Suit Season Strategy #10 is BE PREPARED.
You know the times of day you get cravings. So make sure you have
some healthy stuff around to eat.
1. Nuts are good for you again. Almonds contain healthy omega
fats and are a great snack to fill you up. They provide a good
source of protein as well. A handful should satisfy you.
2. Yogurt is another great snack to have on hand. It is low
calorie and also provides a good source of protein.
Posted by davegleason 
Posted by davegleason 
Posted by davegleason 
